Hong Kong Fire Claims 128 Lives; Cigarette Suspected as Potential Cause

Post by : Raina Nasser

One of the most catastrophic fires in decades devastated Hong Kong on Wednesday, resulting in at least 128 fatalities at Wang Fuk Court, a residential complex located in the hilly New Territories. The city is gripped with shock and mourning over this tragic incident.

Social media platforms buzzed with a viral video indicating that a cigarette might have started the blaze. The footage, shared by RT India, allegedly captured workers smoking near Wang Fuk Court's outer walls shortly before the fire ignited. However, officials have yet to confirm this as the fire's cause is still under investigation.

The scale of the tragedy has reignited safety concerns regarding the extensive use of bamboo scaffolding in Hong Kong. Many experts and residents are questioning whether these traditional scaffolding methods played a vital role in the rapid spread of the fire. Despite its longstanding historical significance in Asian construction, bamboo scaffolding is commonly utilized across various renovation efforts in the region.

At Wang Fuk Court, extensive renovations initiated last year wrapped all eight residential towers in bamboo scaffolding and green netting. When the fire erupted, the dry bamboo and protective mesh facilitated a swift ascent of the flames. The government reported that falling bamboo debris exacerbated the blaze's spread, underlining the pressing need for a transition to safer metal scaffolding alternatives.

Initial investigations reveal the fire started in the protective netting on the lower levels of one building, quickly advancing upwards. Security chief Chris Tang noted that highly flammable foam boards used in the renovations intensified the flames.

In light of this disaster, authorities have detained eight people linked to the renovation efforts, including seven men and one woman aged between 40 and 63. Those arrested include scaffolding subcontractors and project managers, as per a statement from the Independent Commission Against Corruption.

This incident has reignited discussions surrounding construction safety regulations in Hong Kong, particularly the use of bamboo scaffolding in densely populated areas. Residents and authorities are now advocating for tougher safety standards to avert future accidents.

As the community mourns those lost in this tragic fire, pressure mounts on officials to deliver answers about the cause of the incident and ensure the implementation of stricter safety protocols in ongoing construction projects throughout the city.